womp womp womp - left front vibrations
 

I've got a 2003 3.0 E53 with about 120,000 miles on it.

It's been running fine for the last 20,000 miles but today very suddenly with no warning developed a massive vibration that feels like its coming from the driver side front tire that shakes the steering wheel as well as the entire vehicle.

I checked the obvious, it has not thrown a wheel weight, the lug nuts are tight, when I jacked the vehicle up there was not a lot of play when I tried to jiggle the wheel up down left right. The tire is properly inflated. I replaced it with the spare tire and get the same vibration.

I checks to see if the brake caliper was locked up and it was not.

I checked all the suspension bushings and they seem to be in ok condition. I tried to wiggle and jiggle them with my hands and there is no play.

The CV boot has been torn for a few months.

I plan on replacing the front left drive shaft and boot this weekend.

Is there anything else it could be?

Bad sidewall in one of the tire. You could have a broken cord in one of the sidewall.

I thought of that and replaced the left front tire with the spare tire.
Same vibration with both tires.

Sound like it happened all of a sudden and is at all speeds? Can you think of anything that recently happened that might be connected?

A "massive" vibration that suddenly happens leans toward suspension part failure. I would get it up on a hoist so the suspension could be thoroughly checked and even run the engine in gear. If our perspectives of a massive vibration are similar I would not be driving it or if I did it would not be far, going very slow and only to find out what was wrong if I couldn't figure it out.

Check all the other calipers to be sure too... My front passenger side caliper would randomly stick (very bad vibrations at all speeds).

There was absolutely no warning. I was driving down a smooth road at about 50 mph, suddenly it felt as if I were driving over dimpled pavement, I slowed down and the vibrations continued. I pulled over to the side of the road to see if I had a flat or if the lug nuts were loose. I was only three miles from home and put on the flashers and limped back at 25 mph. Half of the time during the three mile ride the vibration went away.

My X5 is now sitting in the driveway till I have time to get it to the local mechanic. I used to do all my own work on cars but now I don't have the time. It's too bad because I actually enjoy diagnosing problems and fixing them but these days I run a company and work seven days a week. This fix would probably take me two days to repair on my own and the lost business would cost me a lot more than just letting the mechanic do his job.

Nonetheless I always like to know what caused the problem and what is needed to fix it so that the shop does not take me to the cleaners.

Any unusual noises?

Replace the axle and go from there.

Yes, the axle could be the problem but what makes you so sure that you tell op to have it replaced?

Replacing the axle makes sense. The rubber CV boot has been torn for at least 6 months. Who knows how much crap has gotten into the joint. A new rubber boot cost $25, a new axle with new rubber boots can be had for $80.00. Might as well replace the whole thing at once.

Are there wheel bearings in the front that can go bad? Anyone have a part number for them?